Liturgy Alive 21st Sunday in ordinary time year B.

Greetings 

Christ loved his Church;
he gave himself up for her
to make her holy and immaculate;
he nourishes us and cares for us.
May his love and peace be always with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Are You on My Side?

After Vatican II many were affected by the deeper insights in the gospel and our faith which the Spirit had given to his Church: most were the result of deeper study or simply rediscoveries of neglected truths. To most people the renewal after the Council was like a deep breath of fresh air; but some went away sadly from the Church. They could not take it; there was no room for growth in their faith. Today Jesus asks us too: Can you grow in your faith? Do you choose me and my Church or do you stick to your own ideas? He invites us: choose me, grow in my life and my love.

 

Penitential Act

A. Are You on My Side?

We have to acknowledge with shame
that we have often preferred ourselves,
our interests, ideas and comforts
to those of God and of our neighbor.
We ask now for forgiveness.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you put before us
good and evil, your gospel and our own ways,
and you tell us to choose:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, you put before us
yourself and your message of life
and you ask us: Do you too want to go away?
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you put before us
the bread of life, and you tell us:
"Take this, all of you, and eat it."
Lord, have mercy R/ Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord:
we know that you accept us and forgive us.
Make us accept you with all our heart
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

 

Opening Prayer

Let us pray to God for the courage
to be faithful to him always 
(PAUSE)
Faithful God of the covenant,
in the daily choices we have to make
give us the courage to opt always
for your Son and his ways
and to remain close to him.
Bless the difficult road we sometimes have to take
without seeing where it will lead us.
Keep us from making half-hearted decisions
where we have not enough faith, and
to accept all the consequences of our choice.
Keep us always faithful
through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

First Reading Introduction: God's People Choose The Lord
      God's people is conscious that it owes its freedom and its country to God's liberating love. The Hebrews choose to link their destiny to that of God and to serve him loyally.

Second Reading Introduction: The Covenant of Marriage
      In marriage the partners choose one another for lifelong love and fidelity and give themselves to one another as Christ gave himself for the Church.

Gospel Introduction: Do You Choose Me?
      The upsetting words of Jesus place a choice before the disciples. Many leave. Peter, apparently speaking in the name of all the apostles, expresses his firm faith in the Lord.